One million per birth: how will maternity allowances and child benefits increase in 2026

Support for families with children in Russia is reaching a new level in 2026: at the same time, government payments are increasing and opportunities for assistance from employers are expanding. The authorities are betting on a long—term demographic policy, with an increase in maternity leave, indexation of benefits and the launch of new measures for low-income families. What payments will increase, who will be able to receive up to 1.3 million rubles and how the business connects to the support of parents — in the material of Izvestia.

Maternity leave has increased significantly in three years

One of the key innovations will be the opportunity for employers to pay employees up to 1 million rubles at the birth of a child without personal income tax and insurance premiums. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects, urging businesses to use this tool more actively.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev

In fact, we are talking about the formation of a new model of social support, which involves not only government funds, but also companies themselves. Such a payment becomes a way for employers to retain staff, and for families it becomes a real financial cushion in the first, most expensive period after the birth of a child.

To continue childbirth: in the Russian Federation it was proposed to sharply increase maternity leave

Will this help solve the demographic problem and how will it affect the budget?

At the same time, government maternity benefits are increasing significantly. As Nikita Chaplin, a deputy of the State Duma from the United Russia faction, noted, the increase in payments in recent years has been systemic.

— If in 2023 the maximum maternity allowance was 383,178 rubles, then in 2026 it will reach 955,936 rubles. This is an increase of more than two and a half times in just three years," the parliamentarian stressed.

According to him, an almost 20 percent increase compared to 2025 was made possible by an increase in the marginal base for calculating insurance premiums. This means that official earnings increasingly affect the amount of future social guarantees.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev

For women with a high proven income, the maximum payment for standard maternity leave will be about 956 thousand rubles, and for multiple pregnancies, when the vacation lasts 194 days, the amount will exceed 1.3 million rubles. The key condition remains the same — official employment and legal income for two calendar years.

Support extends to those who are just starting out.

The changes affect not only working women. Starting in the fall of 2025, the maternity allowance for full-time female students is calculated based on 100% of the regional subsistence level. On average, this is about 90 thousand rubles instead of the previous 20-25 thousand.

According to Nikita Chaplin, this dramatically changes the situation of expectant mothers who combine study and preparation for the birth of a child, and reduces the risk of postponing motherhood due to financial reasons.

Indexing and new payments for families with children

From February 1, 2026, other key payments will traditionally be indexed. The one—time allowance for the birth of a child will increase, the maternity capital for the first child will grow to about 737 thousand rubles, and for the second - to 974 thousand, if the family has not received it before.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Anna Selina

For low-income families, a single benefit will continue to operate, which, depending on the region, can reach 100% of the child's subsistence level. In addition, starting in 2026, a new family payment will be introduced for parents with two or more children, which will allow them to refund part of the income tax paid.

Demography lesson: in Russia they want to expand payments to families with children

The bill of deputies proposes to extend the allowance for the birth and upbringing of a child to another 10% of Russians

Vladimir Putin noted that the new measures are directly related to demographic challenges and a decrease in the birth rate. Since this year, the birth rate has been included in the system for assessing the effectiveness of regional heads, which makes family support not a one-time measure, but an element of government policy.

Financial stability as a demographic factor

Experts agree that the effect of the new payments will be greatest for young families and parents facing the decision on the first or second child. A significant increase in maternity leave, the opportunity to receive up to a million rubles from an employer and predictable indexation of benefits reduce financial anxiety — one of the main factors delaying the birth of children.

— Demography is not a question of one—time assistance, but of building a sustainable environment. When support grows from year to year and covers different life situations, families gain confidence in the future," Nikita Chaplin emphasized.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Eduard Kornienko

As a result, 2026 may become a turning point in terms of social support for parents: the state strengthens guarantees, businesses receive incentives to participate in demographic policy, and families receive more understandable and tangible financial guidance during the most important period of their lives.